The government needs to immediately establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki over allegations of excessive shareholdings and links to a “corporate mafia”. This is necessary to calm public anger and restore the government’s increasingly fragile credibility.
Both the excessive shareholding issue and the alleged corporate mafia connections pose a serious test to the credibility of our enforcement agencies, particularly the MACC and the police. These institutions are meant to safeguard the lives and property of the people, yet they now face allegations of corruption and criminal links. Only a transparent and independent RCI can uncover the truth, remove any wrongdoing, and rebuild public confidence in both the government and enforcement bodies.
Following the exposure of these allegations, the government merely announced on 13 February the formation of a special task force led by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar. However, there has been no direct and clear response regarding the corporate mafia allegations.
More than a month has passed, yet Azam Baki remains in his position as MACC Chief Commissioner, continuing to exercise his authority without being suspended. At the same time, the investigation report has not been made public. Under such circumstances, how may the rakyat have confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption?
According to reports on 11 March, government spokesperson Dato’ Fahmi Fadzil stated that the Cabinet has already received the report. If this is the case, why has there been no disclosure or action taken? If Azam is innocent, then his name should be cleared without delay. Conversely, if wrongdoing is established, appropriate action must be taken.
A further report by Bloomberg on 30 March alleged that the delay in releasing the report may be due to concerns over its potential impact on the general election. If this claim is untrue, the government must clarify it openly rather than remain silent.
Continued silence only fuels public suspicion. It raises troubling questions as to whether enforcement agencies have been compromised or are being misused by certain parties, and whether there are deeper irregularities within the system.
The fight against graft must not be reduced to mere rhetoric. When the government consistently proclaims its commitment to integrity yet allows such controversies to persist, it risks turning its anti-corruption agenda into a public mockery.
I therefore urge the government to immediately establish an RCI to investigate and disclose the truth behind these allegations, and to suspend Azam Baki from his position pending the completion and publication of the investigation.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng
MCA vice-president
Tanjung Piai MP
